Archive for March, 2015

Many underage drinkers consume alcohol under the belief that it will bring them to life and make parties and other social gatherings “more fun”. The truth is, however, that alcohol is not a stimulating drug. It is a depressant. It suppresses the function of the central nervous system and causes your mental and physical faculties to become impaired while you’re under the influence. This is why it is so dangerous to drink and drive or drink around strangers or other people you don’t really know.

Consuming alcohol won’t necessarily make you “depressed” emotionally, but if you are already struggling with low moods and depression, consuming alcohol will certainly make it worse instead of better.

When you make the choice as a teen or adult to abstain from drinking alcohol, it can be difficult and isolating. Don’t worry. You’re not alone in your emotional turmoil. We’re here to help you feel confident about your choice to rethink the drink! Below you’ll find 5 tips for staying sober when you’re tempted to give in:

1// Limit your exposure to tempting situations // If you have been invited to a place you know alcohol might be served, consider your track record. If you’ve been sober for a really long time, such a situation may no longer be a problem for you. However, if you are new to sobriety, perhaps consider declining politely and be transparent about your reasons. People who matter won’t mind and people who mind, don’t matter.

2// Exercise and eat well // Exercise can help increase endorphins in the body and help you to feel calm, joyful, and content. Eating well will keep you nourished and full and can help to minimize your cravings for things like alcohol and other dangerous substances.

3// Seek help // If you’ve been attempting the sobriety train solo, you may want to consider finding a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or another organization that encourages its members to maintain sobriety. You may also want to consider a professional counselor or enlist the help of a doctor. If you feel your alcohol use never reached addiction levels, you’ll still want to surround yourself with people who support your decision to abstain from alcohol.

4// Be honest and open about your decision not to drink // You may feel like you’re the only one abstaining from alcohol, but we can assure you there are many others like you! Be honest and up front about your decision not to drink and be confident in your reasons. If someone asks you why you’re avoiding alcohol, tell them the truth. Believe in your choices. Be strong in your decision to rethink the drink!

5// Give yourself rewards for not drinking // When you’ve been sober a week, give yourself a little treat such as a homework-free night, or enjoying a dessert you really love. When you’ve been sober a month, a year, five years, ten years, celebrate! Find ways to reward yourself that are not destructive and that encourage you to stick to your convictions!

I recently stumbled across an article discussing a teen who struggled with alcohol abuse fueled by a friend’s mother. Adults providing teens with alcohol is hardly a new thing, but it could become rarer if more adults would make responsible decisions to protect the teens in their lives.

If you’re an adult with teenage children or in a position of leadership over teens, make wise decisions. Don’t buy alcohol for underage youth. Don’t allow drinking parties in your homes. Talk to your teens about safe decisions regarding dangerous substances.

Today, we wanted to share ten links in celebration of sober living! These links are directed towards teens who make the choice not to drink, but these can also apply to adults who choose to remain sober. We hope these links will spark some ideas for fun activities to do with your friends or ways in which you can feel motivated to remain diligent in your decision to avoid alcohol!

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s day and many teens and adults choose to celebrate with alcoholic drinks and cocktails. Madd.org urges those folks to pick designated drivers early so that there is no chance of drunk driving in your friend group. Better yet, abstain from alcohol entirely! There are plenty of other ways to have a good time without resorting to alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is a dangerous drug that can lead to death if it is misused. Be wise. Rethink the drink.

Rockmart High Students conducted a survey among their classmates and found out that 78% of Rockmart High students drink SODA, WATER, or TEA when hanging with friends! Contrary to popular teen beliefs, everyone is NOT drinking. Most kids choose NOT to drink alcohol in their underage years. If you’re a teen struggling with peer pressure to consume alcohol, remember that you’re not alone in making wise decisions. Rethink the drink!